Loestrin 24 Fe and loestrin 24

i was on loestrin 24 for over a year, my period was great, very light and sometimes i didn't get it at all. at first this made me nervous, but once i got used to it i didn't mind. the big problem was about 6 months in i started having really horrible mood swings. I would have to lock myself in my room because i would spend the whole day crying on and off for no reason. It would happen on the same day every month. I talked to my doctor and she said the pill was to blame. I had the mirena inserted today. Fingers crossed that works out well!

I started Loestrin 24 (prescribed by my doctor) on Sunday, 11/8/09. Exactly 1 week later, I started heavy bleeding/clotting, severe cramping in my stomach and lower back, constipation and weight gain. The cramping has been so bad that I had to be put on pain killers! As for the weight, I've put on 5lbs in just 2 weeks. Today is day 9 (since the symptoms started) and the symptoms still persists. I stopped the pill about 2 days ago and just praying that this stuff passes through my system as soon as possible. I WILL NEVER TAKE LOESTRIN 24 AGAIN!! This was the worst experience, every! Thank you ladies for all your posts, it helped me to realize that Loestrin 24 was the cause for my nightmare and it was time to stop!

I have been on the Loestrin 24 for 3 months and i am about to call my dr and see if i can try the IUD, the side effects on the Loestrin 24 is horrible, i work out every day and i am having a battle with my weight management and i can only blame the pill, before i was in good shape i kept my weight in check by working out but now is very serious, i need to get back to my 135lb, since i gave birth 5 months ago i have been 150lb and it does not drop. i am really disappointed

I am at the end of my first packet and due to start the end cycle two days later. And to be honest i am utterly confused. I have been having late periods for the past few months and also suffered from mood swings. I was prescribed this Loestrin 24 mainly for some hormonal dis balance which was presumably causing these problem with menstruation. And now i have had more mood swings than ever, cried without reason felt depressed more often than ever. I have also had spotting at least 3 times over the month but not my regular period till date though it's been well over a month. to make it worse , i have eye pain and headache over the past few days. Sex has been rare this month!! dry vagina and almost no interest in sex , and I am just 28.
wasn't I better off with the small hormonal problem?
-P.

so i went to my doctor yesterday and got prescribed with loestrin 24. i haven't started it yet and figured it would be a good idea to research it a little bit. now that i have read all the side effects and troubles, im worried.
I don't now what to do. should i start loestrin anyway and see what happens or go ahead and switch to yaz? suggestions please

I am 28 and have almost been on Loestrin 24 for a month now. I haven't noticed many side effects. It has actually even helped my acne thus far into my journey. However, I've felt bloated for about two weeks straight. I was on Yaz for the past few years and liked it okay but switched due to a conflict with another medication with potassium in it. Long story short, I have gained 5-8lbs this month. I am working out at least an hour most days and eating well, so I am really bothered by this. It seems others have had this issue as well. When you switched back to another BC pill did the weight seem to come off? I am trying to decide if I stick it out for another month or two and see if my body adjusts to Loestrin or if I should call it quits and start on Yaz again.

I began using the loestrin 24 almost 5 months ago. I was having severe cramping and heavy bleeding, which prompted my doctor to prescribe this pill. It was my first time in more than 20 years trying a bc pill and in the past I only used the pill about 2 months, because it caused severe bleeding then. When I began Loestrin 24 fe, I was not sexually active, and only began a sexual relationship within the last 2 months. My boyfriend, uses a condom in addition to the bc I use. Recently, we talked about trying to conceive. He stopped using a condom close to a month ago. I had noticed nausea from time to time, but didn't really think about side effects of the pill. The other day, after getting nauseated again, it occurred to me I might be pregnant. I have spent the last 2 days trying to figure out if that might be the case. I was loving the Loestrin, my last couple of months have been virtually pain free. However, after reading the signs of pregnancy and side effects of Loestrin, I am noticing they are very similar. I have been experiencing headaches for about 2 weeks now, non stop, nausea, abdominal cramping (although nothing compared to my menstrual cramps), fatigue, depression, increased appetite and recently frequent peeing. The only side I haven't experienced that many women above describe is breast tenderness. The tenderness, however, was something I'd experience before BC. I'm getting off because I decided to conceive, but I was very disappointed with the false signs of pregnancy. I don't think I'd like to go through that on a regular basis.

I am an active teenager and i got this birth control because i get really bad cramps and a steady boyfriend. I got my period as normal the first month then skipped four months without getting my period. i thought i was pregnant because my stomach feels totally weird almost like a little bulge where my bladder is located. Has anyone else's stomach felt weird, or different then normal? it's not that i look fatter just different. i took a pregnancy test and was not pregnant and i ended up up getting my period the 6th month of being on this. i am just wondering if this is normal?

I have to say I think I'm the odd ball. I'm 32 I just finished my 2nd pack of Loestrin 24 and I love it! I'm not crazy the week before my period, I have little to know cramping, and my heavy period is no longer. I have gained weight, and weight I can not afford to gain, but for me this pill has been a god sent. I'm going to diet to loose this weight. I did have very sensitive breasts, but thats fine I'd rather have sore boobies than cry at a drop of a hat. Love this pill!

I just started Loestrin 24 last mth n have been having excruciating back, stomach & side pains which caused me to go to the doctor. I haven't had a period, but I don't blame the pill, I was on the Implanon which caused me to have cysts on both ovaries and side pains. While on the Implanon I didn't have any periods, and now on the pill I still don't have a period. I have noticed that once it get to the end of the pill pack and I am suppose to have a period that's when all the pain starts. I am looking into other options.

I have been on Loestrin 24 for almost 3 years now and have virtually no side effects. Slight weight gain did occur however I also attribute that to starting college around the same time. My periods were slightly irregular during the beginning but have evened out substantially and now last a maximum of 3 days. Also any mood swings I encountered may have been due to the Loestrin but again I was under abnormal stress because of beginning college

I am 20 years old and get my birth control through my university health center (it's only 15 bucks a month). Im not having sex now and have not in QUITE some time as my boyfriend and I broke up almost a year ago. I have been on birth control for three years now and NEVER had any problems. Since i get my meds through the school they give me what they can get in. I had been prescribed solia when i first started taking it and it was perfect. I had shorter periods, NO cramping, barely any weight gain if any at all and it even helped with mood swings during my period. This past month, the center got in Loestrin 24 and that's what they gave me. I am VERY pissed about it. I started taking it and within days could tell a difference. I would cry for no reason and the slightest things upset me. I was cramping all the time. I missed my birth control ONE day and made up for it the next day, BUT i also got my period. That was two weeks ago. I have not missed another pill and i STILL have my period! I am cramping irritable and just a downright bitch, and that is NOWHERE near my normal self. Im the type of person to let most things roll of my back in time and just go with the flow. Im glad I got on here and found out im not the only one having problems.

u dammed if u do dammed if u don't. i just picked up may pack yesterday of loestrin 24 waiting on my period to start to begin taken them. but by the looks of this site might not be taken them.im just confused right now.i was on Yasmin years ago caused me depression.then last year levora.28 made my blood pressure high and my heart beat extremely fast.depo made me gain weight and spot and bleed irregularly.im even using condoms with my boyfriend right now to be extremely cautious they SUCK..I just don't know what to do the pull out method isn't full proof.im just lost at this point.

I'm 24 and I'm about to start my 3rd package of loestrin 24. I was on birth control several years earlier so it's been a while since I had taken the pill. I am having a lot of the same symptoms as everyone else.

Spotting, vomiting, severe migraines, my boobs are so sore that i almost cry when i touch them, moody, emotional, cry all the time for no reason, bitchy, i've gained 5lbs, i don't crave sex at all anymore, and at first my face was going crazy with break outs, but now it's evened out a little.

I also noticed that my hair is getting a little thinner, I can't sing as well (my throat feels more dry and hoarse), and I drank a few beers a couple of weeks ago and was completely out of it for like a week afterwards. By that i mean to the point that I was going to completely black out.

So here's the biggest question. If loestrin is chalked full of side-effects then what is the best pill to be on? I don't mind having full periods or a little pms. It's worth it to be on something that won't destroy my body. Besides I'm sure the less bitchy I am the more my boyfriend will appreciate the change lol.

WOW..all these negative reviews! I have been on loestrin 24 for over a year or so. I had heavy heavy periods so my gyno prescribed these. Other than the break thru bleeding...I have noticed no side effects. For me the pill has been wonderful. My periods are so lite that sometimes all I need is a panty liner. It has worked wonders for me...and I am in my 40's. I have 2 kids and I would NOT want to feel pregnant and these do NOT make me feel preggo at all. I guess it works for some...it's not for everybody! But my experience is GREAT!!

I had been on Yaz for about a year and a half. My doctor just switched me to Loestrin 24 Fe because I started to experience spotting between periods. This is my 3rd week on Loestrin and I have gained 5 lbs, have experienced bloating, and spotting. I am also breaking out. I am assuming this is because I was on Yaz for so long and my body is not used to the new pill. Hopefully the symptoms clear up after I get my period next week (though reading these posts I am just hoping I get one or I will freak about pregnancy).

Anybody experience anything similar? Did it clear up after a cycle?

I am a sixteen year old girl and I've been on Loestrin 24 for the past three months. I've really noticed that I am always hungry and go pee around 8-10 times a day. My boyfriend's mom, a teen mom, was very concerned I am pregnant. Because I not only gained two cup sizes but started getting taller and I probably have gained 5lbs. since I started and it definitely gave me acne, which I never used to get. I have HORRIBLE lower back pains but usually goes away after a quick massage but still. All of these symptoms seriously made me worried about being pregnant, even though I used a condom every time. I am worried still though cause I went directly into my second and third months of pills without having my period.
Overall, it helps with what it's supposed to do, but can easily make you believe you're pregnant. Beware! (:

I came on here to see if anyone else was gaining weight as quickly as i did. i see way more side effects that i wasn't associating with loestrin 24.
ive been on the pill for 3 weeks and have gained 17lbs !!!!! This def makes anyone suicide lol ! Been working out twice a day and trying to fight the hunger with healthy foods... it just doesn't go away !! I have to get off this pill. My feet are swollen my face and body are huge, i thought i was pregnant. Back Aches, def attitude and mood swings. Wow is there a bc with Good, weight losss side effects !!!

I am on day 5 of Loestrin 24, I do not read the "pamplets" that come with medicine simply because if I read it I will get it, power of suggestion is what my doc calls it. My boyfriend noticed almost immediately my mood swings, I thought I had the flu, I cry all the time and last night, after 4 days of no sleep I planned out my own suicide in my mind, even what I would write in the letter to my parents and my new niece. I layed beside my boyfriend and convinced myself he was cheating on me, he was seeing someone else and I got up, woke him up and started throwing his clothes in the backyard. I have full blown anxiety attacks and cry all the time. I am sick on my stomach but starving at the same time, my head is splitting wide open and I am waiting on a call rom my doctor right now. I called in to work "crazy" today, thank God my boss is very understanding and I will never take this pill again in my life. This is scary and as I sit here now I'm still not sure how long this feeling will last

Reading your comments has really put my mind at easy. I'm 23 and on day 4 of my third pack. My first month I got a regular period, but I didn't get a period during my second month on the pill (which means that I am a little over a week late right now). In the past I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen and Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, and my period has always been on time. And in the 10 years that I've been having a period, it occasionally been early, but never late, and I have never once missed a period.

I've spend the last couple days terrified that I was pregnant (even though I have consistently been taking my pill at the same time every day), but this forum makes me feel a lot better. I think that I will still go out and take a home pregnancy test to be on the safe side, but hopefully my missed period is just my body's reaction to Loestrin.

I will give my body a couple more months to adjust to the pill, but if irregular, late or missed periods continue I am definitely going to switch birth control pills. It is not worth the anxiety of thinking I might be pregnant.

On the bright side, I haven't experienced any of the other side effects that you guys are mentioning. This pill has helped with my cramps, and I haven't experienced any change at all in my moodiness, energy level, acne, or weight.

I'm 23 and began taking BC for the first time about 2 months ago. My gyn recommended Loestrin 24, and I'm just now starting my third pack.
So far I've noticed the following side effects:

1. Breast tenderness - they are constantly sore. (In the past they would only be sore during my period.) It's somewhat annoying, as I used to enjoy having the boy play with "the girls", but now he has to be completely gentle or I start cringing.

2. Moodiness - there have been 2, possibly 3 occasions so far where I've been quite depressed/ apathetic/ generally negative/ irritable for several hours without real cause, and was unable to "snap out of it".

Frightening, but infrequent, and therefore bearable once you recognize what's happening.

3. LOSS OF SEX DRIVE - by far the scariest side effect, especially since the whole point of me taking BC was to be able to have sex with my boyfriend (without getting preggers, of course.)

Fortunately I've only noticed this on 2, possibly 3 occasions - the boy was goin' to town, giving' me the WORKS - which usually does the job quite nicely, but this time my response was, "meh." No arousal at all.

Completely frustrating - for me, because I hate being unable to respond sexually to the guy I love, and for him, because what worked before isn't working now. randomly. for no reason.

4. Period, periods, ALL THE TIME - I've had my period 5 times in the past 8 weeks. RIDICULOUS. completely ridiculous. And I'm not talking occasional light "spotting" that comes and goes - no. It's like, I'm thinking about buying stock in Playtex because I am single-handedly bringing about full economic recovery with my bulk tampon purchases. Five days (often more) of bein' on the rag full-time.
Ridiculous.

(Although to be fair, there were a couple times where I forgot to take a pill one night, and had to take two the next day.... I'm forgetful. and distractible. This could be causing the excessive periods.)

5. Other side effects - I haven't gotten fat, or pimply, or nausea, or sleeplessness, or headaches; at least, not that I've noticed.

Good luck finding decent BC that doesn't make you fat and crazy, ladies!!

i am 24 and i was on loestrin 24 for 8 months. at first i didn't notice any side effects but gradually i became lethargic, moody, and i lost my sex drive almost completely. none of those things described me in the slightest before i started taking this pill, in fact i used to wonder if pms was a myth...now i KNOW its so real.anyway because of the lethargy i was having i went to the doctor to see if maybe i was having thyroid problems, i wasn't but he did tell me that studies he has seen link hormonal birth control to breast cancer and advised me to get off the pill. kinda scary i know. i did quit and ive been off for about a month now and i swear its like night and day, im not moody, i have energy and my intimate life is back to normal, im so happy i quit.

I'm no stranger to BCPs but Loestrin 24 has me quasi-suicidal. Yes, I've actually had thoughts of jumping out the window - I would never do it, but it scared the bejeebus out of me to actually have those thoughts.
I have two young kids and just went back on BCP's after finishing breast feeding my youngest. I have extremely heavy and awful periods so I was looking for a way to manage that. In the past I'd had only good experiences w/ BCPs so I didn't think twice about going back on them.
It's been three months since I started Loestrin and I've suffered from extreme fatigue, crazy mood swings, mental fogginess, forgetfulness, spotting (the least of my concerns), double vision, dry eyes, nausea, insomnia, no sex-drive, menstrual migraines that last up to 72 hours and lots of other fun stuff. Someone below mentioned they thought they had a brain tumor and I chuckled because I was pretty sure I had one too!
I forgot one measly pill this month and boy, did I pay for it.
Loestrin leaves me barely capable to take care of my children because of my fatigue and mental fogginess (it's the only way I can describe what my brain feels like on this drug) PLUS they have to deal w/ a very curt, impatient, unhappy and mean mommy - something I'm normally most definitely not!
When merging on the highway I ALWAYS do shoulder checks to make sure no one is in the way, but the other day I almost got in a wreck because even though I checked, I didn't see a car coming up behind me! I know this was because of my vision changes thanks to Loestrin.
I called my ob today for a new script. She gave me some generic. I hope to Zeus it's better than this stuff.
I think I'm more annoyed because I was never sensitive to meds before. I don't know if it's age (36), having had kids or what, but my body definitely doesn't handle the same as it used to. : (

I believe that the biggest key to success with loestrin 24 is to wait it out! you have to give it at the very least 3 months to get in your system and really regulate and for your body to adjust!! i say this only because i have been on it going on 9 months and i love it! the first 6 weeks were horrible! headaches, spotting, back aches, chest pains, swollen feet, acid reflex, my face broke out, dry skin, i even found more hair in the shower than normal for about the first 3 weeks, but you name it, and its a proven side effect, i had it! i have a fever for about 11 days of between 101-103!!! but my obygn just kept telling me this was the pill for me and i though the had lost his ****** mind!! but i did stick it out! all the side effects started to disappear around the beginning of the 3rd month. and so did all the spotting and my period completely!! wow! im 21 and no mood swings, no average side effects of a periods, nothing.. nadda!! its amazing! this is the only bcp i have been on! and i wouldn't change it for anything! but let me remind you, im not on the pill to prevent me from getting pregnant, i have endometriosis!! this is extremely common in white females!! my obgyn said i developed it between the age of 11-14 ( i started my periods when i was 10! and it went totally undetected for 11years! now, my mom always thought i was just a totally baby! but the pain and the blood clots i would pass when i was that young was so scary. but i never went to a obgyn til i was 20 and i had insurance, lived on my own and could afford to go. so now im so happy on the pill! there were times when i was younger that i would give anything to be punched in the lower back cause the pain was so bad! i couldn't stand, i would be walking and just fall to my knees cause the cramps would just take over. this happened at school a lot, but the day it happened at work i knew i had to do something! so they did a few months of blood test, 6 peps smears in about 2 months.. and a few other test and determined it had to be endometriosis!!! if you ever feel like your insides are tearing appart.. you need to ask your obgyn about testing you for endometriosis!!! *google it!!** anyways, back to the bcp, after the fifth month i was happy again, no pain, no more side effects, no moody-ness or random out breaks of tears!!! its amazing. i dating this one guy! and not having a cycle is sooooo wonderful. he loves that i don't have a cycle!! which means no "time of the month" crap to deal with!!! lol!!! i cant tell you how much i love being on this pill. OHHH i almost forget! you can now get your script with or with out insurance for just 24$ a month!!! no matter what! just to buy the pills like like 80 a month, with full coverage insurance ( which i have ) its still 60 a month. well i found this website and i called, answered a few questions and now i get it for just 24 a month!!! ask your obgyn for the info!!! amazing!!

I am 20 year old and my gyno put me on Loestrin 24 for ovarian cysts I have. I have been on for 3 weeks now and I think it's great. I will admit the first two weeks I was oddly emotional and little things would make me cry, but now I feel very in control of my emotions, and I think it has actually helped me to be more stable. The symptoms I have experienced so far are nausea if I don't eat it before I take it, a little bit of anger over things that usually wouldn't effect me in such a way, my chest becoming fuller (not a complaint!), and my acne clearing up a lot. I was on Ortho Tri Lo for a couple of months and I was a monster. I also tried the Depo (the shot) and it made me an insane psycho bitch and I do not recommend it to anyone. Every birth control you try is going to effect you differently than someone else, so reading these experiences and what happens to each person does not mean you will have the same experience.

I'm 44 with 2 kids & started Loestrin 24 about 3 weeks ago. I just wanted to say that if you are experiencing any side effects, please keep in mind to give the pill AT LEAST 3 MONTHS for your body to get used to it. Your body has to adjust to the hormone level. I am already being treated for PMDD (extreme PMS resulting in major mood swings & depression) so I really don't want to mess with that situation since I have finally gotten that under control with a low dosage of Prozac. I feel fine now but started having long, heavy periods so I decided with my doctors guidance to try the Loestrin. If it doesn't work, I will consider ablation surgery since I don't want anymore kids. I have had some spotting & feelings of slightly more depression on the Loestrin but I will definitely give it 2 more months. Good luck to all and HANG IN THERE!! It sure sux being a woman sometimes!!!

loestrin 24 made me gain 8 pounds in two weeks. it made my hunger uncontrollable, and my cramps have never been worse. It made me on my period for 9 days straight, and i bled through super tampons. I do not recommend it for anyone.

Well, I have reading lots of reviews about this pill since my doctor prescribed it, and being a science teacher, I have to say I am disappointed by how little many women who have issues (or not) go into specifics about their situation. So, I am going to be detailed here about this. Maybe if your situation is similar to mine, this could be helpful... :)
-I am 23...nearly 24 years old.
-5'10", 140-145 pounds.
-Very active, I at least ride my bike and/or go for a walk every day, and I try to work out at least twice a week. Healthy eater, but I still like to indulge...pretty much everyday.
-Non-smoker, rarely drink.
-Occasionally have coffee, mostly a tea drinker, avoid soda and dairy products.
-I have never used birth control before.
-I have been sexually active for approximately 3 years with one partner. We have always used condoms.
-I am on the last week of my first month.
-Reasons for going on the pill:
-Although very regular (comes approximately every 35 days like clockwork), I have very heavy and long periods (*Lots* of clotting, eight days long-my mother had a history of her periods lasting as long as two weeks as she has gotten older, I would like to avoid this.)
-Intense migraines and headaches, generally around my period.
-Intense cramping, diarrhea, and bloating before and during my period.
-Lack in energy, decrease in sex drive, and increase in stress level/unhappiness before and during my period.
-My doctor actually had me start the day AFTER my last period.
-I take it at 8:00 each night (set my alarm so I don't forget).
-Since starting Loestrin 24 Fe:
-Increase in energy level; however, I have found it more difficult to fall asleep. I also get very hot at night.
-Two headaches in the past 24 days, compared to the at least 3 severe ones I would get a week.
-Increase in sex drive, though I think we are both feeling a little less "afraid" of having any accidents, so that may be the difference.
-Breast slightly swollen (like they would be around my period before) and only slightly sensitive, but nothing unbearable.
-My mood has been generally good. Less stressed. Pretty happy lately.
-No pre-period cramping or diarrhea, but lots of bloating; however, I am always bloated and gassy because I have some digestion issues.
-No weight gain yet other than the normal water weight that changes daily regardless.
-Eyes are little dry, not tearing up when irritated. I am not sure if I can cry, and I used to be able to at the drop of hat.
- No real nausea.
-Skin is the same, actually my complexion looks slightly more even. My breakout zones (blackheads on my nose and chin are still there) haven't changed, but no whiteheads have appeared lately.
-Some breakthrough bleeding by the second week, but barely anything. If you had the kind of periods I had, a spot of light brown is nothing at all. I usually don't even need a panty liner.

All in all, I have been pretty pleased so far.

I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 3 weeks. I have experienced extreme mood swings. I am usually a very happy person and lately everything has been driving me crazy!! I have been spotting for the entire 3 weeks. I feel dizzy and lightheaded at times. My acne has increased. I have NO energy and NO sexual desire. I'm not sure to try to stick it out for another couple of months or try a new one. However, I have to be on some kind of birth control to help my endometriosis. Anybody else have these issues?

I'm 18 years old and I have sex quit often with my boyfriend.
everyday. and the first two months on loestrin 24 i had CRAZY periods! Like 15 days long.
the first week of the month would be nothing,
then BAM! I got my period 9 days straight , stop two days, and then on the brown pills for 5.

But what's weird now, is that i'm on my third month and nothing.
i've got four more days on my white pill until i get to the brown pill and i've been so constantly worried that i'm pregnant because the first two months were so strange and then NOTHING on the third month?
I'm just hoping i'm not pregnant and that the pill is just acting differently.
whatever it is it's scaring the shit out of me.

My Girlfriend just stated taking this and switched from another (i believe Otho) we've been together for over 3 years no major problems. About 3 weeks after going on Loestrin 24 she seemed to have been getting very irritable and upset over nothing. It just happened practically overnight. Now the smallest things aggravate her. How long does this last? Will she regulate? What should he do?

Any info is appreciated...Thanks

This is my second pack of Loestrin 24, and I am not sure if I like it..Last month was very light spotting, but not a TRUE period, and this month I didn't even get my period. I was on ortho low before, and my period was light as it is. My gyno recommended that I be put on Loestrin, as I was having a lot of stomach problems. NOW, I'm not even getting my period. Should I be worried? Reading everyones posts makes me feel a little better that we are sharing similar symptoms. I am cramping, and I feel like my period should be here, but it's not!

I'm 21 and have been on Loestrin 24 for about 4 months now. I have been pretty lucky as far as my periods are concerned. I get my period the second day of the brown pill around 10 AM and it lasts for two or three days (very light bleeding). I haven't had any cramping (which was one of my main focuses for finding a pill) and I haven't had any really horrible mood swings like I had when I was on Microgestin (my boyfriend is pretty happy about that!). But my main concern on checking these boards is that in the past one or two months I've gained ten pounds! I haven't changed my diet in any way, I've been eating like I normally do. Ive even actually tried to start eating better, and using weight watchers to count my points but I haven't seen any weight loss whatsoever. I've also been having really bad headaches almost every day, but this may be because I need to have my eyes checked. I love the pill, except for this stupid weight, and I'm scared that I'll keep gaining :/ Anyone else have any weight gain from this pill?

i am 20 years old and have been on Loestrin 24 since I was 17. In the past 4 years or so I have been pretty happy...it's main purpose has been doing it's job...I am not pregnant! But i do have some terrible side affects. I have a lot of spotting and if i take my pill anytime after a half later than I am supposed to...no matter where i am in my pack i will be on my period until my next new pack! It sucks...I would like to switch to something else, like the shot...but i am afraid it might not work as well...but anything will be better than a month long period!!!!!! Good luck to everyone else out there who is on it, it is good other than the previous mentioned.

I am 21 years old and I have been on Loestrin 24 since June 2nd. I'm about half-way through my second pack. I used to take Kariva which had a lot of negative side effects (headaches, weight gain, couldn't wear contacts, longer periods). Fortunately, I haven't had many of the bad side effects with Loestrin 24 that most women have been describing. My first period on Loestrin 24 came a little late but when it eventually came it was quite light and only lasted about 3 days. I also haven't experienced ANY spotting which is good. I have been a little nauseous and I threw up once which I can only assume was from the pill. I've had some trouble sleeping and some weird dreams but I usually do anyway so its not too bothersome. My only major issue is acne. It seems like in the last couple weeks it has gotten a lot worse, even worse than when I wasn't on any type of pill. I noticed a lot of women saying that their acne got worse. I was just wondering if it will eventually get better? I may have to talk to my doctor because it’s getting bad (I notice at least 1 new pimple a day). I've always struggled with acne so if it continues to get worse I'm totally going to stop taking this pill. Any suggestions or feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I just started my second pack of pill yesterday and I don't know if I like these pills. I am taking zoloft also for anxiety and my side effects are horrilble. I have had a hard time falling asleep (I literally have to lay in bed with my eyes closed for hours before falling asleep), I have terrible nigh sweats and wake up drenched in sweat, I sleep all day long, I have horrific nightmares which I never had before, and massive headaches.
I am not sure if I want to stay on the pill, I know it is only my second month and it takes a couple months to regulate but the side effects are ruining my social life. I feel like a zombie.
About the third week in my first pack i started spotting (or what I thought was spotting). It lasted 8 days, and my normal period was only 6 days. I bled just as much as on my normal period and has severe cramps as well. The only reason I got my 'period' was because I was about an hour off on taking my pill the previous day. It is pathetic.
Has anyone else had these symptoms? Or have any suggestions on better birth control pills.?
Oh and I am 18 years old.

Oh my gosh!!!!! I thought I was going crazy until I started reading this site. I am on my first pack of Loestrin 24 I have two more pills until I get to the brown pills. I have been experiencing the same side effects as everybody else. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, aches you name it. I was going to weigh it out for a couple of months but now after reading what everyone says I am going to call my doctor asap and tell him to take me off of these pills. I was put on them because I have polysytic ovarian syndrome and my periods are abnormal. I have bleeding for almost three months non stop. THIS IS SOOO CRAZY!

I have been taking Loestrin 24 for over two years. The first year it took a couple months for my body to adjust with a period for over a couple weeks at a time, and then another period a couple weeks after instead of a month. Then i stopped the BC, became lazy. Well I became pregnant once I got off of it, then had a miscarriage 2 months into my pregnany and started up the Loestrin 24 again. I have been on it for 8 months or so straight and i have not had a period for 6 months straight. I love it!! B/c my periods normally last 8 days each month, and at first I thought may be I was pregnant for not having a period for so long, but I'm not. My doctor said that it's possible to not have a period for this long including other factors like stress and so on... SO, I would have to say I absolutely love this brand!! To keep in mind i have taken just about every other birth control brand and none of them worked. I have gotten the depo shot too, and to mention that I had a period for 8 months straight after the first shot and continuously even thought i didn't go back for my other 2 shots... So, it's really dependant upon your body and what works right for you!!

I have been taking Loestrin 24 for almost a year and a half now. At first the pill seemed like a godsend because it offered me shorter periods and more time in between period. However, I have recently become sexually active with my boyfriend and the pill seems to have turned on me completely. In May, I experienced an alarmingly light period with barely any bleeding and almost non-existent cramps. I attributed it to stress at first, but took a home pregnancy test just to be certain. Thankfully, the test came back negative so I put it out of my mine for awhile.

The following month I yet again experience a period that was barely the equivalent of spotting. Alarmed, I went to see my gyno. She told me that barely to no bleeding is completely normal with Loestrin 24, which is something that she failed to tell me of before I began it.

Tonight is my second night of iron pills in my pack and I have yet to bleed at all. On top of that, this entire month I have been experiencing night sweats, headaches, abnormal weight gain, and extreme irritability towards my loved ones. I can barely even stand to talk to my boyfriend on the phone regardless of the fact that I know I love him very much.

Should I stop taking them? Is there any suggestions for better pills?

I'm still in my first month of Loestrin 24 and I've only noticed a few side effects. My main concern is the pain during sex. I wondered if I had some sort of infection or if I was allergic to the lubricant from condoms, also the spotting. Which is quite embarrassing and bothersome! But I have not experienced any weight gain, which I was very worried about. My skin is clearing up and I hope it continues to do so. Overall, if it keeps me not pregnant, I'll deal with whatever.

I took Loestrin 24 for 5 months before I saw any side effects. I’ve always been a cheerful, healthy person. I’m healthy. I run track for my college. Everything was going great until for some reason I just didn’t want to see anyone anymore. I was constantly tired and lazy. My sexual drive became zero and I would fight with my boyfriend for no apparent reason. It was terrifying. Almost two weeks ago, I had a panic attack for the first time in my life. I thought I was having a heart attack. My left arm, chest, and back hurt. I couldn’t sleep. I had heartburn. So, I decided to go home and talk to my parents who comforted me. They also saw a change in my personality. My mother and I wouldn’t argue anymore. She would just say something and I would cry. I was depressed and kept on having anxiety attacks. At first I thought it was from caffeine but when the symptoms still persisted, I looked toward the birth control. I completely stopped it last Wednesday. Now, everyday is an improvement. I am much happier than I was. I felt a difference around 2 days after stopping the pill. Never take this pill. It’s terrible and no one should feel the way I have in these past two weeks.

I am currently on my 2nd pill pack of Loestrin 24. Prior to that, I was taking Yasmin, which was causing yeast infections and nausea. My doctor switched me to Loestrin, thinking the lower dose of estrogen would help with the nausea. The first month of being on Loestrin was okay, although I spotted for about 5 days halfway through the pill pack. I had a little bit of nausea, and my first period was EXTREMELY light, barely a period at all. I started taking my pills again on Sunday, and Monday morning I felt extremely nauseous, so much that it left me in bed all morning. All week I felt waves of nausea, no vomiting though. Then yesterday was day 5 of the pill, and I felt the worst case of nausea ever. The only thing I can attribute all of this nausea to is the pill. I don't know what to do....I don't feel myself on this pill and I'm sick of feeling sick.....I would rather have cramping and period for a few days than feel nauseous every month.

Ok so...I started taking Loestrin 24 almost a year ago and I can't really complain too much. I've had a few pregnancy scares because of missed periods but they were just that- missed periods. And there's nothing wrong missing a period or two imo :D
About two weeks ago I ran out and couldn't refill so I neglected to take any pills for a week, figuring I would just pick back up when I could. I've since started taking them regularly again but in those two weeks my personality changed sooo much. In an attempt to describe myself I'd say I was...confused and depressed, for no real reason. My stomach was so messed up I don't even want to share the details. And the strangest thing... I've noticed two VERY SMALL spots (one on my upper thigh and one on my butt) that are slightly red and drier than the skin around it. I'm positive it's not an STD but I'm concerned nonetheless.
In conclusion, I'm gonna take my pills regularly from now on.

But seriously if anyone else has gotten weird small spots of dry skin, plz respond cause it's definitely worrying me a little.

I have been on loestrin 24 for over 3 years now and haven’t had a period since I started taking it. No period at all, my doctor said this is normal. About a month ago my husband and I decided we should have kids soon since we are close to 30, so I stopped my BC. However, I still haven’t had a period I thought for sure I would see something in a month. I’m not pregnant; if I were, I wouldn’t be posting this message. Does anyone know how long it takes to get this out of my system. I read though all the post and I see a lot of women have the same issues as I do after being on this pill for so long, migraines, slow hair growth or hair loss, gum issues. All these side effects just started about a year ago and I didn’t relate it to the pill until I read the postings because they didn’t start right away. Any how if you experienced the same problem, not having a period and know when I could expect to see one it would be nice to know a month to me seems like an eternity.

After being on YAZ for about 7 months and realizing how it was harmin my mind and body, my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately, even though it was mid-cycle. he put me on Loestrin24fe because "there has been a much higher success rate with a lower dose of estrogen" NOT IN MY CASE!

i started taking it on a Tuesday, it is now the following Monday and i have already experienced:
harsh aches and pains throughout my body, unbelievable mood swings from cryin until my eyes hurt for NO reason to sitting and talking calmly within 5 minutes of each other, once again a complete lack of sex drive which i *just* recovered from with YAZ, not being able to eat yet having extreme weight gain??? my stomach is completely round when i have had a 6pack for my entire adult life and my jeans will not get past my thighs anymore, my skin and hair are oily and i have broken out worse than i did when i was a teenager ...

and the BEST one yet! Severe Panic Attacks during the night to the point where i am terrified to sleep because of waking up hysterical and actually "feeling" my dreams. i woke up from a nap yesterday crying uncontrollably because i was convinced i snapped my spine/neck because i dream it, felt it snap and HEARD it snap in my dream. it is all too real and i am on lack of sleep AND not eating for a few days.

Needless to say, i have stopped taking the pill as of last night. i am hoping to get back to normal in about a week because i clearly cannot function like this. I missed a gorgeous Easter day yesterday because i was having a low grade panic attack ALL day and couldn't eat or even talk to anyone.

i am not going to let another bc pill ruin my life this year. its not worth it but i must ask, where do i go from here? i am concerned about getting an IUD because my body seems to have every side effect possible with any type of birth control but i think the IUD is my only option besides complete abstinence.

I went on Loestrin 24 about 3 weeks ago and have kept telling myself to wait it out. From the first day I started to feel depressed but I stayed with it. Ive started to fight with my boyfriend of 2 yrs now and questioning our relationship more than ever. I have NO sex drive what so ever, Im constantly depressed, I have anxiety and my mind is constantly all over the place with weird thoughts that I have NEVER had before. Ive already started to gain an uncomfortable weight. I am 5'4 and 115 pounds, very active, and I eat very well so the weight gain does not make sense to me. The only plus is that my boobs are getting bigger...but feeling like total crap and hating everyday of my life isn't worth it. Im debating going off of this pill but keep telling myself to ride it out. I was on the shot for about 5 yrs and went off of that about 2 yrs ago. I started back on this pill because I get really bad PMS...the shot made me gain about 20 pounds. So I dont want to go back on that. After reading all of these horror stories - Im beginning to think that my 3-5 days of serious PMS are totally worth it vs. 3 weeks of serious depression

42wmoses-
I know what you are going through. It is so frustrating to be on a birth control pill that causes annoying physical and emotional side effects. I would say to take a month off the birth control and see if anything changes. Try not to alter your eating or exercising habits too much because that will change the results that you can notice.
If you decide to stay on Loestrin 24, I'd suggest to keep a diary for a few months. Mark down symptoms on specific days etc. to later observe any possible trends that might be related to hormone levels based on the point in time of your cycle.
Also, Nuvaring is very new and new drugs should always be used with extreme caution. What I'm trying to say is, the full range of side effects (especially the long-term ones) have not been studied yet. It is impossible to know what it may cause down the line. Personally, I don't like the idea of a foreign object sitting inside of my vagina for three weeks out of each month.
I know only one person who uses Nuvaring and she has not had any issues with it. I guess it is just important not to forget that it is in there and must be removed on a specific date. Below I have inserted the COMMON risks/side effects associated with using Nuvaring (from the Nuvaring website):

The common side effects reported by NuvaRing® users are:

Vaginal infections and irritation
Vaginal secretion
Headache
Weight gain
Nausea

I am prone to urinary tract infections and vaginal infections so this is something I would never use. If you do not have a history of those types of things, maybe it would be something worth trying. Personally, I just feel as though putting something like that inside of your vagina for three weeks continuously while being sexually active can introduce a great deal of infectious bacteria into that area.

I hope that my opinion was at least somewhat helpful. If you are still unsure of what steps to take with birth control...I would suggest making an appointment to sit down with your gynecologist to discuss all of your options. They usually have a strong grasp on what is the best for each individual patient based on history, age, current health etc. etc. because of experience with many other patients on the same medications and the imense amount of research that physicians obtain on a regular basis.

Good luck!

I am 22 years old have been taking birth control for five years now and have used three different brands. The first one that I was on was too low of a dose and after six months my body became used to it and my periods became irregular. After that, I took Yaz for a while and loved it but once I switched insurance companies, it was $60 a pack. I then went on to Loestrin 24. I have been taking it for a little over a year now. I have not noticed weight gain or an increased appetite but have had many other problems with it. There have been months where I miss my period entirely and then have a very heavy period or two separate periods in the next month. As well, I think it has made my skin worse and my PMS a great deal more noticeable.
I often have unbearable cramping for two days prior to and on the first day of my period. Sometimes I have a "period" that lasts about 6 hours and is not more than just brown spotting on the Saturday before I am to start a new pack.
Currently, I have missed my period the last two months and have had to continuously purchase and take pregnancy tests to be sure that I am not pregnant. My breasts/nipples are swollen and extremely sensitive and painful. I will be purchasing a pregnancy test today because I am unsure of what is going on.
Suggestions for women looking to go on birth control: try other brands of the pill prior to Loestrin 24. Yes, it does give "shorter and lighter" periods...but often causes missed periods. I know that we all hate those days during the month where we feel like absolute crap and do not want to leave the house because of our periods...but (at least for me, a 22 year old student) I would much rather have that monthly reminder than to spend more money on pregnancy tests each month than I do on my birth control.

I started on Loestrin 24 in October of 2007. I had some weight gain due to an increased appetite, but after the four month waiting period and a little exercise, the weight was gone. I actually noticed that after a while, it curbed my appetite. In October of 2008, I decided to give Yaz a try. That was a mistake. I was an emotional wreck, constantly hungry and bloated, and my periods were much heavier than on loestrin. So after 4 months on Yaz I switched back to loestrin, been taking it for a week, and I'm happy. Women just have to keep in mind that everyone's bodies react differently to different BC, so give it the 4 month trial run and if you're not happy switch off it. Most of the time there is some kind of BC that will be perfect for you.

I just started my second pack of Loestrin 24 Fe two days ago. I have not had any nausea, weight gain, unusual acne, loss of libido, or crazy mood swings. I have, however, had non-stop breakthrough bleeding. In the past month, there has only been one day where I was not bleeding. I take it at the same time every morning and have not missed a day. I'm really trying to be patient and give it a couple more months...but it has gotten very annoying. I got on the pill because I recently decided to become sexually active. Having my period 24/7, though, has kept me from actually wanting to start. I was on Ortho (the original) back in high school for regularity, and it made me gain 15 pounds and have intense mood swings. Beyond the btb, I love the lack of weird side effects....has anybody made it past the first 3 months to find more regularity with no side effects?